Biology
The Department provides you with the best possible teaching programmes in Biology by imparting a sound theoretical and practical background to the subject, enabling you to contribute effectively to Malta's changing needs and requirements. Moreover, through its research programmes, the Department makes a direct contribution to the knowledge of the natural resources of the nation, their sustainable management, and to national economic development. You will have many opportunities to contribute directly to such research endeavours.
Physics
The course design reflects the need to provide as wide a base as the human resources of the department permit. It provides a sound basis in the subject during the first three years, with some specialisation in chosen areas offered during the final year. You will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, experience and skills to pursue careers as scientists within the industry, administration, education and, of course, research.
Biology
The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.
- Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:
- Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
- 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
- 20 credits in the other area of study,
First Year: in addition to the compulsory and elective study-units outlined in the programme of studies of the chosen areas (not less than 26 credits in each of the two areas), students are required to register for optional study-units to bring their total for the year to 60 credits,
Second Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study,
Third Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study.
At the end of Part One, students who obtain 180 credits as specified in paragraph (1) but who either opt not to proceed with the Course leading to the Honours Degree, or having proceeded, do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
provided that in the case of Mathematics, the dissertation may be substituted by one or more additional taught study-units.
Physics
The Course shall consist of two parts, namely, Part One comprising the first three years and Part Two comprising the fourth year.
- Part One shall consist of study-units to which 180 credits are assigned and indicated in the programme of study and divided as follows:
- Part Two shall consist of study-units to which 60 credits are assigned divided as follows:
- 40 credits in one area of study, of which 18 credits are assigned to a dissertation, and
- 20 credits in the other area of study,
First Year: in addition to the compulsory and elective study-units outlined in the programme of studies of the chosen areas (not less than 26 credits in each of the two areas), students are required to register for optional study-units to bring their total for the year to 60 credits,
Second Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study,
Third Year: 30 credits in each of the two areas of study.
At the end of Part One, students who obtain 180 credits as specified in paragraph (1) but who either opt not to proceed with the Course leading to the Honours Degree, or having proceeded, do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
provided that in the case of Mathematics, the dissertation may be substituted by one or more additional taught study-units.
Communication and Academic Skills Programme
The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.
Biology
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO1010 | Cellular and Biochemical Basis of Life | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1020 | Diversity of Life: Animals | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
GSC1000 | Introduction to Earth Science | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Students taking Biology and Chemistry are required to register for the this unit: | |||||
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SOR0210 | Data Treatment and Probability | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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GSC1200 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
GSC1300 | Introduction to Science of the Atmosphere | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO1030 | Diversity of Life: Non-Animals | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1070 | Perspectives and Research Methods in Biology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO1080 | Microbial Diversity | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO1090 | Introduction to Conservation Biology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Students taking Biology and Mathematics, Biology and Physics, or Biology and Statistics and Operations Research are required to register for this study-unit: | |||||
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CHE1015 | Environmental Chemistry for Scientists | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2040 | Ecology and Ethology 1 | 8 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO2070 | Biochemical Strategies of Life | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2020 | Plant Biology | 7 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO2030 | Animal Form and Function 1 | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3030 | Evolution, Phylogeny and Adaptation | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3022 | Parasitology | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3050 | Animal Form and Function 2 | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3060* | Field Biology - Coastal and Marine Habitats | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3130 | Genetics and Developmental Biology | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
* Study-unit BIO3060 is an intensive study-unit held over seven consecutive working days which is scheduled for mid-September, prior to the beginning of the academic year (i.e. prior to the start of Semester 1 for continuing students).   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO2050 | Science, Society and Ethics | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
BIO3023 | Microbiology and Immunology | 5 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
BIO3040 | Biotechnology 1 | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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For students taking Biology as the main area of study:Compulsory Units (All students must register for these units) | |||||
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BIO3110 | Final Year Project in Biology | 18 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
SCI3502 | Professional and Technical Skills for Scientists | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3080 | Introduction to agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and other biological Resources | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
SCI3501* | Academic Writing and Statistical Techniques for Scientific Research | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Industrial Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3300 | Biotechnology 2 | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Environmental Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3090 | Environmental Applications, Informatics and Management | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
* Study-unit SCI3501 is for students taking Biology as the other area of study only.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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BIO3070 | Studies in Conservation Biology | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Industrial Biology TrackElective Units(Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) | |||||
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BIO3100 | Marine Biology | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
CPH4500 | Introduction to Pharmacology for Biology and Chemistry Students | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
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Physics
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY1105 | Fundamentals of Experimental Physics | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
PHY1197 | Introduction to Classical Mechanics and Waves | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY1125 | Mathematics for Physicists 1 | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY1133 | Python for Physicists | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY1134 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY1193 | Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY1145 | Electricity and Magnetism and Optics | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY2145 | Electromagnetism | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY2230 | Experimental Physics | 4 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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CHE1750* | Health and Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY2195 | Classical and Relativistic Mechanics | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY2210 | Mathematics for Physicists 2 | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
* Study-unit CHE1750 is only available for students following Chemistry and Physics.   | |||||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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LIN1063** | Academic Reading and Writing in English | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY2140 | Quantum Mechanics | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3110 | Physical Optics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
** Study-unit LIN1063 is not available for students following Chemistry and Physics.   |
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY3111 | Advanced Experimental Physics | 6 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
PHY3145 | Statistical Mechanics | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3515 | Gravitation and Cosmology | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY3130 | Atomic Physics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3225 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY3155 | Solid State Physics | 5 ECTS   |   | ||
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Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) | |||||
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Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) | |||||
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PHY3200* | Physics Project | 18 ECTS   | (NC)   | ||
PHY3208 | Short Review Paper and Philosophy of Science | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3209* | Seminar | 2 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3232 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 6 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Stream A: Space Sciences. | |||||
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PHY3289 | Advanced Astrophysics and Cosmology | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Stream B: Electromagnetics. | |||||
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PHY3277 | Bioelectromagnetism | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
PHY3279 | Applied Electromagnetism | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 1 | |||||
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Elective Stream A: Space Sciences. | |||||
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PHY3287 | Computational Astronomy | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Elective Stream C: Quantum Physics. | |||||
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PHY3227 | Quantum Optics | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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Semester 2 | |||||
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Elective Stream C: Quantum Physics. | |||||
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PHY3229 | Modern Quantum Theory | 4 ECTS   |   | ||
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This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Science - B.Sc. and Bachelor of Science (Honours) - B.Sc.(Hons.) under the auspices of the Faculty of Science.